Dear Applicant
Community and Events Officer – Tame Valley Wetland Partnership Scheme
£18,500 - £22,000 pa, 3.5 year contract
Thank you for your enquiry regarding our advertised vacancy. An application form is enclosed, together with a job description, person specification and other background information about the RSPB. If you have seen this vacancy advertised on our website, please refer to ‘Working for the RSPB’ which contains information about our benefits, and terms and conditions. This document can be downloaded if required.
If you require any further information about this post, please contact Sharon Boardman, People Engagement Officer, on 07738 029559.
We prefer typed applications. Applications can be downloaded in Microsoft Word from our web page at http://www.rspb.org.uk/vacancies/index.asp. You can also complete the enclosed application form in blue or black ink. Please refer to the person specification when completing the form. Your completed application form should clearly describe how you meet each of the criteria that have been identified as being necessary for this post as this will form the basis of shortlisting candidates. If you enclose a CV, it may be referred to for supplementary information, however, please ensure that all the questions asked on the application form are fully answered.
We take all practicable steps to safeguard the safety and welfare of children or vulnerable adults while they are in contact with the RSPB and have a Child Safety and Welfare Policy that supports this. If the post you have applied for involves unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults further checks will be carried out. We will also confirm your eligibility to work in the UK prior to appointment.
Completed forms should be returned to or posted to Paula Bennett, The RSPB Midlands Regional Office, 46 The Green, South Bar, Banbury, Oxon, OX16 9AB. Please check the postage required on your application as incorrect postage may lead to your application being delayed and missing the closing date. If you require an acknowledgement of receipt of your application, please enclose a stamped, addressed envelope.
The closing date for receipt of completed application forms is Sunday 20 July 2014. Interviews will be held on Tuesday 29 July 2014 at the RSPB Office in Birmingham City Centre.
If you are an external candidate, may we take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in employment with the RSPB. As a charity, we try to keep our administrative costs to a minimum and therefore you will only be contacted if we wish to progress your application. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. However, if you are able to supply us with an e-mail address, we will endeavour to advise you if you have not been shortlisted.
We look forward to receiving your application in due course.
Kind regards
Communication Department
This pack contains all the information you need to apply, including:
Useful Information
Details on our Diversity Policy statement, how we use CVs, shortlisting and employment checks and UK Identification requirements
Applicant letter
Details on how to apply plus closing date and interview date(s)
Job description
A breakdown of the vacancy, including the purpose of the job, requirements, duties and responsibilities
Person specification
A list of criteria that potential candidates should aim to meet
Department information*
Details of the department advertising the post
Application Form
PDF version
Please print out, complete and return to the address on the Applicant letter
Word version
Applicants are encouraged to complete electronically and return by e-mail
* This information will only be provided if it is relevant to this post
Applications from candidates requiring a certificate of sponsorship under the UK points-based immigration system will not be considered if there are suitable candidates who do not require sponsorship. This is because employers need to demonstrate that they are unable to recruit a resident worker, before they can recruit a non-resident worker*.
The resident worker rule does not prevent applicants requiring sponsorship from applying for our vacancies, but such applications should be made on the understanding that they can only be considered subject to the restrictions above.
For further information, please visit the Home Office UK Border Agency website.
*This rule does not apply to those applying for roles that require a bachelor, postgraduate degree or postgraduate certificate in education qualification. It is necessary for the qualification to be an essential requirement for the role and the applicant to prove that they possess such a qualification (or have completed a minimum of 12 months study in the UK towards a UK PhD), which is recognised in the UK.
Useful Information
Diversity Policy Statement
The RSPB is part of a global network that incorporates a diversity of traditions and cultures, and which represents different inheritances, backgrounds, influences, perspectives and experiences. A better understanding of people’s differences will help us to appreciate and value everyone’s contribution, and recognise that we are all an integral and invaluable part of the Society.
Everyone has the right to be treated with consideration and respect. The Society is committed to achieving a truly inclusive environment for all, by developing better working relationships that release the full potential, creativity and productivity of each individual, and an atmosphere where everyone can learn, work and live free from prejudice, discrimination, harassment and violence.
The Society aims to ensure that all staff, volunteers, partners, clients, contractors, members and the general public are treated fairly. Unless it can be shown to be justified, this will be regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender re-assignment, marital or civil partnership status, race (including colour, nationality, ethnicity, or national origin), disability, medical status, age, religion or belief, political opinion, social or economic status, or ex-offender status.
Use of Curriculum Vitae (CVs)
Our policy is to recruit and employ our employees on the basis of their suitability for the work to be done. An application form allows us to compare individuals based on like for like information and as such we do not accept a CV unless accompanied by a fully completed application.
Shortlisting
The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to ensuring all applications are treated fairly. Applications are sought only from those eligible to work in the UK in the first instance.
All applications are subject to our shortlisting process where we only assess information provided against the Person Specification. If you are shortlisted we will contact you and invite you to attend an interview. You will also be advised at this point if there will be any skills test, presentations etc.
As a charity, we lack the resources to advise all candidates if their application is unsuccessful. If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, we will have decided not to take your application any further. However, if you are able to supply us with an e-mail address, we will endeavour to advise you if you have not been shortlisted. If this is the case, please do not be discouraged from re-applying as your skills and experience may be just what we need for our next vacancy. We also have a number of volunteering opportunities across the organisation.
Employment Checks
All offers of employment are made subject to the following criteria:
Proof of eligibility to work in the UK, Proof of Residency, Satisfactory Employment Health Check, Two references satisfactory to the Society and where required a Satisfactory Criminal Records Bureau Check.
/Job Description
Job Title: Community and Events Officer
Dept/Section/Region/Reserve: Midlands Region
Location Of Job: Based at Lea Marston, with travel across the scheme area
Post holder reports to: RSPB People Engagement Officer and Tame Valley Wetlands Landscape Partnership Scheme Manager
Reporting To Post holder: Volunteers and community representatives
Overall Purpose Of The Job:
To engage as many local people as possible in enjoying, celebrating and conserving the heritage of the Tame Valley and promoting the many benefits of the Tame Valley landscape. The post holder will plan and deliver a range of events and activities to attract new audiences to the Scheme area (particularly those who are currently under-represented), recruit, train and mentor new volunteers and develop mechanisms to ensure the long-term involvement of the local community in the stewardship of the area.
The role will help to transform the relationship between the heritage of the Tame Valley and its local communities. The post holder will facilitate a reconnection between people and the heritage of the valley, helping to build a network of volunteers who will get involved in the management and protection of a number of sites across the Tame Valley.
This is a full time, 3.5 year fixed term post: 37.5 hours per week
Main Duties:
· To lead the delivery of community participation activities in Programme B of the Tame Valley Wetlands Landscape Partnership Scheme Landscape Conservation Action Plan (LCAP).
· Work with Partnership and Scheme staff and relevant site partners to plan and deliver a high quality programme of inspiring activities and events, which will help to connect people to their local landscape and its conservation needs across a number of key sites within the Tame Valley.
· Carry out regular evaluation and review of the activities programme, responding to findings and improving delivery during the Scheme.
· Deliver and evaluate a programme of outreach work to promote and raise awareness of the Tame Valley and its priority sites.
· Be the key face of the Scheme in ensuring that the project communicates effectively with the local community and with visitors through an open and transparent two-way dialogue.
· Widely promote the extensive conservation and other volunteering opportunities offered by the Scheme, including the development of regular conservation work days at all priority sites.
· Establish links with community groups and engage them in the Scheme through a series of events and activities.
· Plan and deliver a programme of volunteering activities to increase participation including the recruitment, training, coordination and management of volunteers to support the delivery of the Scheme.
· Facilitate and foster within volunteers the knowledge, skills and confidence to enable them to plan and lead activities on their own as the project progresses.
· Support existing volunteer groups and signpost new volunteers to these, whilst also identifying opportunities to establish new groups, where appropriate – facilitating their development and growth - and building capacity so that they become self-supporting.
· Undertake routine regular monitoring and recording of all community events and activities and producing written evaluation reports.
· Lead conservation volunteer work parties for habitat management, such as scrub clearance and invasive non-native species control.
· Support Tame Valley Scheme colleagues with schools engagement, which will help young people learn about the local environment on their doorstep.
Other Duties:
· Work with colleagues and volunteers, ensure that excellent communications are developed and maintained with the local community, and identify opportunities to maximise the involvement of local communities and the public in the Partnership.
· Encourage, facilitate and coordinate knowledge and research into the heritage of the Tame Valley by local people, organisations and educational establishments.
· Administer own work, files and records, attend and contribute to team meetings. Undertake funding and monitoring reports in line with HLF requirements.
· Health & Safety: Observe RSPB’s and Warwickshire Wildlife Trust’s (WWT) policies at all times including the Health & Safety Policy, undertake Risk Assessments for sites and activities, COSHH assessments and adherence to RSPB’s and WWT’s Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy and Volunteering Policy.
· Equal opportunities: To work at all times within RSPB’s and WWT’s Equal Opportunities Policy and to promote equal opportunities.
· Undertake any other duties, as appropriate to the post, as delegated by their line manager.
· The post holder must be available to work flexibly, including evening and weekend working (including Bank Holidays), for which time off in lieu will be given.
· An element of this job will include lifting and carrying heavy objects, as well as accessing rough terrain.
· The post will involve travel – the post holder will need to have access to a vehicle to be able to travel to a range of sites with little or no public transport, for which mileage will be reimbursed.
· Whilst the post holder will work as part of a small team, the post will involve lone working.
We expect you to carry out your job responsibilities in an environmentally-aware manner, ensuring as little damage to the environment as possible. Our aim is to ensure all resources are utilised effectively and efficiently. You will be expected to apply ‘sound value for money’ principles in undertaking purchasing or supply of goods and services.
In the RSPB volunteers are a major resource and make a vital contribution to the RSPB’s aim to take action for the conservation of wild birds and the environment. You will be expected to encourage, develop and support volunteer involvement in our work and work towards the vision and aims of the Tame Valley Wetlands Partnership.
Working together to give nature a home
Additional Information
Community and Events Officer
Tame Valley Wetlands Landscape Partnership Scheme